Sam and Jinna’s guidebook
Nearby outdoor destinations
Here are a few of our favorite places to go on a beautiful day, regardless of season!
Head out the door, walk down Kettle Cove for a minute, and you're there! Rocky beaches, sandy beaches, grassy fields, forested trails, bobbing lobster boats... something for everyone!
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Kettle Cove
Kettle Cove RoadHead out the door, walk down Kettle Cove for a minute, and you're there! Rocky beaches, sandy beaches, grassy fields, forested trails, bobbing lobster boats... something for everyone!
Long sandy beach perfect for admiring from dry land, getting wet in, walking along and picnicking on. One of Maine's best sandy beaches! Access on foot from recreational boat launch at Kettle Cove, by path past the maintenance shed on Kettle Cove Road, or by car entrance on Rte 77.
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Parque Estatal de la Playa Crescent
109 Bowery Beach RdLong sandy beach perfect for admiring from dry land, getting wet in, walking along and picnicking on. One of Maine's best sandy beaches! Access on foot from recreational boat launch at Kettle Cove, by path past the maintenance shed on Kettle Cove Road, or by car entrance on Rte 77.
Stroll along rocky paths overlooking stunning view of Casco Bay. Walk/ride/drive north on Fessenden Rd, turn right on Two Lights Rd, bear right into park entrance in 1/4 mile. Bonus abandoned military installation!
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Parque Estatal Two Lights
7 Tower DrStroll along rocky paths overlooking stunning view of Casco Bay. Walk/ride/drive north on Fessenden Rd, turn right on Two Lights Rd, bear right into park entrance in 1/4 mile. Bonus abandoned military installation!
Lovely pond surrounded by expansive forested space. Spectacular in any season. In winter, bring your ice skates; in summer, bring your kayak (or ask us if ours is available). Not recommended for swimming; local legend says that there are leeches.
Access by mileish-long foot path starting across the street from Kettle Cove Creamery, or by car on Fenway Rd. cul-de-sac off Fowler Rd.
Finally, Cape Elizabeth has a public canoe available at Great Pond. The canoe is outfitted with 2 adult life preservers, 1 child life preserver, 2 oars and a locking cable.
* Reservations are needed, though inexplicably Airbnb does not allow links or phone numbers in this guidebook; please do a web search for “cape elizabeth community boat” for more information.
Great Pond
Lovely pond surrounded by expansive forested space. Spectacular in any season. In winter, bring your ice skates; in summer, bring your kayak (or ask us if ours is available). Not recommended for swimming; local legend says that there are leeches.
Access by mileish-long foot path starting across the street from Kettle Cove Creamery, or by car on Fenway Rd. cul-de-sac off Fowler Rd.
Finally, Cape Elizabeth has a public canoe available at Great Pond. The canoe is outfitted with 2 adult life preservers, 1 child life preserver, 2 oars and a locking cable.
* Reservations are needed, though inexplicably Airbnb does not allow links or phone numbers in this guidebook; please do a web search for “cape elizabeth community boat” for more information.
Large expansive seaside town park, main attraction is the ostensibly most-photographed-lighthouse-in-Maine Portland Head Light. Fun military ruins to check out, also a children's garden, tennis courts, at the best place to fly a kite this side of the Mississippi. In summer, there are two amazing lobster roll trucks and a gelato truck.
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Fort Williams Park
1000 Shore RdLarge expansive seaside town park, main attraction is the ostensibly most-photographed-lighthouse-in-Maine Portland Head Light. Fun military ruins to check out, also a children's garden, tennis courts, at the best place to fly a kite this side of the Mississippi. In summer, there are two amazing lobster roll trucks and a gelato truck.
Nice stroll along farmland a beautiful march. If you like birdwatching, bring your binoculars. Snowshoes recommended in winter.
Libby River Farm Trailhead
Nice stroll along farmland a beautiful march. If you like birdwatching, bring your binoculars. Snowshoes recommended in winter.
Long sandy beach a couple of miles south of Crescent Beach.
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Scarborough Beach
Black Point RdLong sandy beach a couple of miles south of Crescent Beach.
Super smooth water with sandy beaches. If you catch the outgoing tide in summer, you'll experience some of the ocean warmest waters in Maine.
52 personas locales recomiendan
Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME
Super smooth water with sandy beaches. If you catch the outgoing tide in summer, you'll experience some of the ocean warmest waters in Maine.
Where to go if you like crashing waves. Not far from Scarborough Beach.
115 personas locales recomiendan
Higgins Beach
Where to go if you like crashing waves. Not far from Scarborough Beach.
A great beach in South Portland. Shortish walk to Willard Square shops (bakery, creperie, ice cream); also abuts the Southern Maine Community College campus. Interesting military ruins plus a fun walk on a rocky cuaseway out to Spring Ledge Light.
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Willard Beach
A great beach in South Portland. Shortish walk to Willard Square shops (bakery, creperie, ice cream); also abuts the Southern Maine Community College campus. Interesting military ruins plus a fun walk on a rocky cuaseway out to Spring Ledge Light.
Nice coastal park in South Portland. Features Bug Light (of course) plus a lovely exhibit about a dismantled WW2-era shipyard. Where to go to see fireworks on July 4!
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Bug Light Park
Nice coastal park in South Portland. Features Bug Light (of course) plus a lovely exhibit about a dismantled WW2-era shipyard. Where to go to see fireworks on July 4!
Robinson Woods Trail
1088 Shore RdNearby indoor destinations
For when you want to do stuff sheltered from the elements
Not huge but excellent art museum. On Friday's between 5-9 pm, admission is only $5.
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Museo de Arte de Portland
7 Congress SqNot huge but excellent art museum. On Friday's between 5-9 pm, admission is only $5.
Beautifully restored mansion from Portland's early days.
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Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth StBeautifully restored mansion from Portland's early days.
Charming historical site in the northern part of town. Lovely setting.
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Tate House Museum
1267 Westbrook StCharming historical site in the northern part of town. Lovely setting.
Guided tours
Awesome guided tours to check out
Catch a ride (and a lobster!) with a local lobsterman. Tom is super tolerant of newbie questions (I'm guilty of those) and enjoys his dual role of commercial lobsterman and tour guide. Best on a nice summer day.
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Lucky Catch Cruises
170 Commercial StCatch a ride (and a lobster!) with a local lobsterman. Tom is super tolerant of newbie questions (I'm guilty of those) and enjoys his dual role of commercial lobsterman and tour guide. Best on a nice summer day.
Farm stands and groceries
If you want to get a few things to bring home and cook
Gourmet market: some prepared foods, baked good, organic and local meat, fish and produce. Amazing desserts. Killer wine and craft beer selection.
223 personas locales recomiendan
Rosemont Market & Bakery
40 Pine StGourmet market: some prepared foods, baked good, organic and local meat, fish and produce. Amazing desserts. Killer wine and craft beer selection.
Farm stand at local farm. On site is a real farm-to-table restaurant $$$.
8 personas locales recomiendan
William H. Jordan Farm
21 Wells RdFarm stand at local farm. On site is a real farm-to-table restaurant $$$.
IGA
Ocean House RoadNicely-curated local grocer. Beer & wine.
Hannaford Supermarket
295 Forest AveClosest "real" grocery store
Sandwiches and high-end takeout, wine, beer, locally-themed gifts.
26 personas locales recomiendan
C Salt Gourmet Market
349 Ocean House RdSandwiches and high-end takeout, wine, beer, locally-themed gifts.
Food scene
Open in summertime only. Good ice cream!
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Kettle Cove Creamery and Shack
2 Bowery Beach RdOpen in summertime only. Good ice cream!
Favorite bakery and luxe pastry shop of locals and visitors alike. NY-style bagels sell out quickly, so plan accordingly! They have a sandwich counter for midday visits.
164 personas locales recomiendan
Scratch Baking Co
416 Preble StFavorite bakery and luxe pastry shop of locals and visitors alike. NY-style bagels sell out quickly, so plan accordingly! They have a sandwich counter for midday visits.
Luxe ice cream. Ask them about a free "pup cup" for your ice cream-loving four-legged companion :)
52 personas locales recomiendan
Willard Scoops
429 Preble StLuxe ice cream. Ask them about a free "pup cup" for your ice cream-loving four-legged companion :)
Excellent BBQ, welcoming bar with a couple of TV's with a Sox or Bruins game. If you've for a hankeirng for some grilled meat (or a really good salad even), this is the place!
80 personas locales recomiendan
Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill
448 Cottage RdExcellent BBQ, welcoming bar with a couple of TV's with a Sox or Bruins game. If you've for a hankeirng for some grilled meat (or a really good salad even), this is the place!
Excellent fresh beer, amazing food, fun vibe. What more could you ask for?
47 personas locales recomiendan
Foulmouthed Brewing
15 Ocean StExcellent fresh beer, amazing food, fun vibe. What more could you ask for?
Our favorite for soft serve. Been around since the dawn of time. Try a "Boston shake" - a shake with a sundae on top. Or a "Noreaster" - soft serve mixed in with candy bits. A tremendous value!
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Red's Dairy Freeze
167 Cottage RdOur favorite for soft serve. Been around since the dawn of time. Try a "Boston shake" - a shake with a sundae on top. Or a "Noreaster" - soft serve mixed in with candy bits. A tremendous value!
Marcy's Diner
47 Oak StWell-regarded breakfasts are at Marcy’s!
Dutch's
28 Preble StEpic breakfast sandwiches!
For a quick bite that will delight your palate, check out Tostones Cafe just down the road in the Cape Elizabeth shopping center.
Tostones Café
For a quick bite that will delight your palate, check out Tostones Cafe just down the road in the Cape Elizabeth shopping center.
Consejos para la ciudad
No te lo pierdas
Food truck scene is alive and well
We have food trucks in Portland! Check out the Truckalico app to get the latest on which trucks are where and when. https://www.instagram.com/foodtruckalico/